Thanks guys. So I'll be in town next week. I think I'm going to sign for an apartment around E32/Prospect or a place in Shaker Square, I'm not sure which I'll do. Probably Shaker. I think I'll flip a coin. Too bad every property management company in Cleveland has the worst reviews ever, although some are in the BBB's graces.

 

I'll be staying in Lakewood though. Apparently since the #55 Bus doesn't run on wknds, public transit access from that area has fallen a bit, so I'm not sure I wanna live that far west - but I'm also scheduled to tour apts around Detroit Shoreway. Will be sure to take a bike for a spin, have one full morning of meetings at CSU, etc.

 

I could also use a good recommendation for a downtown lunch spot, preferably around Playhouse Square.

 

Lastly, If you guys want any photos, let me know what and where. I could definitely use a few tips on the most photogenic vantage points, less keen on big towers (ie., what you see from R&R HOF) and more keen on beautiful critical mass density (ie., what you see from the Flats, etc). I definitely plan on getting some photos of the new Uptown development, and anything else this board wants to see. :)

While the 55 doesn't run on weekends, the 26 down Detroit does.  Depending where you are staying in Lakewood it shouldn't be a very long walk to a stop. 

 

I will be very curious to hear your opinion of whatever you are looking at on Prospect.  I've never met any students that live over there.

 

Good luck on your meetings and stop in the bookstore too.  Ask for the manager, he might give you 20% off some CSU apparel.

Are you talking about living at the Rowfant Club?  That's around E32 and Prospect.  A friend of mine was once the "caretaker" there.

Downtown lunch near playhouse square: Cowell and Hubbard if you don't mind a little splurge. Or walk a bit further W on Euclid and you have a lot more choices. I personally would head to the Colonial Arcade (on your L/S side of Euclid near E 6th) and go to the end of the arcade and hit Vincenza's pizza. Great slices.

I'll be staying in Lakewood though. Apparently since the #55 Bus doesn't run on wknds, public transit access from that area has fallen a bit, so I'm not sure I wanna live that far west - but I'm also scheduled to tour apts around Detroit Shoreway. Will be sure to take a bike for a spin, have one full morning of meetings at CSU, etc.

 

Sounds like you're staying at either the Day's Inn (across the street from me) or the TraveLodge (a half-block farther)? If so, you can take the 78 (on Edgewater/W117th) to the Red Line station, or you can walk to Detroit and take the 26 to downtown or transfer to the Red Line at West Boulevard. Give me a shout via PM if you want to get together for coffee.

 

I could also use a good recommendation for a downtown lunch spot, preferably around Playhouse Square.

 

If you want good/cheap, try PJ's Luncheonette in the Colonial Arcade, er, Marketplace as it's called now. It's about half-way through the arcade. It's an all-cash place, but you won't need much cash to eat well here. I often have breakfast there before work. I realize this spot isn't in Playhouse Square, but it's a short ride on the trolley or HealthLine and an easy walk.

 

You also might try Juji's in the Statler Arms apartments at Euclid and East 12th.

 

Another option is Huron Square Deli, 1150 Huron Road, across the street from the Wyndham Hotel (south side -- Euclid is on north side) and next to the East 12th Place alley.

 

Lastly, If you guys want any photos, let me know what and where. I could definitely use a few tips on the most photogenic vantage points, less keen on big towers (ie., what you see from R&R HOF) and more keen on beautiful critical mass density (ie., what you see from the Flats, etc). I definitely plan on getting some photos of the new Uptown development, and anything else this board wants to see. :)

 

Take a stroll around Gordon Square area (suggested: walk north from Detroit up West 69th to Herman, east on Herman and south on West 65th back to Detroit) or in Little Italy (suggested: walk south from East 120th Red Line station on Coltman Avenue to Mayfield, then a half a block east to Murray Hill Road, then resume walking south all the way down Murray Hill Road to Cedar -- see if you can find the back entrance into the Cedar Red Line station). I think you'll find some good photo subjects and the kind of urban experience you're looking for.

Yeah, I just drove through Gordon Square on a quick little night tour through town and I was pleasantly surprised. It's looking very elegant, though there weren't many people out at night, and I love the "overpriced fencing" that others on this board have bashed. :P

 

Are you talking about living at the Rowfant Club?  That's around E32 and Prospect.  A friend of mine was once the "caretaker" there.

 

Not sure what that is. But I was looking at the Plaza Suites, which just cancelled on me because they are surprisingly full now. Which is fair enough because Shaker or Lakewood would probably be better for me anyway. My first impressions of Lakewood tonight are very positive, this is a fantastic, vibrant area.

 

I also fully understand what you guys meant about the Detroit Superior bridge, as I could tell I was uncomfortably close to a bicyclist in my car, although there was no way to create more distance because another car was on-coming. Piss-poor bridge design. The Flats this way - Downtown that way configuration is also bizarre. Making things worse, the "gateway" into downtown awaiting you at the end of the bridge is probably the most dysfunctional downtown space - for a downtown that seems to be very well put together everywhere else.

FWIW I've done Shaker and Lakewood, and I prefer Lakewood by a wide margin.  It ain't perfect but it's as close as you're gonna get.  They both have holes in their transit coverage... Shaker has no all-night service, and Lakewood's 55 bus doesn't run on weekends.

I also fully understand what you guys meant about the Detroit Superior bridge, as I could tell I was uncomfortably close to a bicyclist in my car, although there was no way to create more distance because another car was on-coming. Piss-poor bridge design.

It was the Lorain-Carnegie that we talked about having poor design for cyclists, I don't mind the Detroit-Superior as much.

FWIW I've done Shaker and Lakewood, and I prefer Lakewood by a wide margin.  It ain't perfect but it's as close as you're gonna get.  They both have holes in their transit coverage... Shaker has no all-night service, and Lakewood's 55 bus doesn't run on weekends.

 

Yeah, right now my fairly unbiased opinion is that Lakewood is the best area in Cleveland. It's hard to go into these other areas looking for places and expecting to feel the same vibe that Lakewood has, and it not being there.

 

I have two questions that I could use some really quick advice on guys. First, is there a doable market during the winter months to sub-lease an apt out come January if I *have* to move away to get a job (which I'd rather stay here longer, but the job market is such that only people willing to move get jobs in my field). If that is a reasonable game plan, I already have a nice apt in Lakewood I'd sign for.

 

Secondly, if not, what do you guys think of the Chesterfield downtown? They would be willing to do a 6 month lease and it's within my budget. That's a pretty big property, so I'm guessing it has a reputation of some kind. I have heard both good and bad things about it.. I overheard a tenant complaining about the pool not working, and apparently the elevators are down in the building. Ugh

Secondly, if not, what do you guys think of the Chesterfield downtown? They would be willing to do a 6 month lease and it's within my budget. That's a pretty big property, so I'm guessing it has a reputation of some kind. I have heard both good and bad things about it.. I overheard a tenant complaining about the pool not working, and apparently the elevators are down in the building. Ugh

I've heard a few negatives about the Chesterfield too, apparently everyone has which is why they're a little cheaper and allow shorter leases. (I looked at an apartment there a few years ago.) They tend to cater to students and the recently divorced that can't commit to paying a higher rent or can't commit to a longer lease but don't want to compromise on location. If you just want somewhere to sleep within walking distance of CSU and downtown, it's fine (CSU has a pool in the Rec Center if you're really bothered by the lack of pool maintenance), but if you're looking for a nice place that you'd be ok with living in for a few years, or as in your case you're willing to ride the bus for a few minutes, you could probably do better.

Yeah, I think I've come across a pretty good deal for a beautiful apartment in Edgewater for 600 including this stupid up-charge bc I can only commit to a short lease, but they agreed to waive the 6th month so I'm literally free to find a job anywhere in the world after I graduate. Not a bad deal. I'm still going to tour this apartment in the Birdtown area of Lakewood so I'll decide between the two first thing tomorrow. It astounds me that this is almost case closed, considering I make other big decisions in virtual seconds. Thanks for bearing with my endless inquisitions, hopefully you'll be rewarded by some photos here pretty soon. :D

 

I toured a bunch of units around Shaker and didn't like a single one. I decided Chesterfield is also probably not a wise idea lol. Westside it is for me - my only consolation is that it's not very convenient to the Symphony, should I ever meet a girl who's into good music.

 

Yeah, right now my fairly unbiased opinion is that Lakewood is the best area in Cleveland.

 

 

Haw yeah!!!